Premature ejaculation in OSAS: Does it improve with CPAP treatment?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common problem in male sexual health that significantly affects the quality of life. We aimed to evaluate the association of PE with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), which is characterised by chronic oxidative stress, and to assess the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on PE.

Sexually active men between the ages of 20 and 50 who were newly diagnosed with PE, and diagnosed with moderate or severe OSAS were included in the study. Arabic Premature Ejaculation Index (AIPE) and Intravaginal Ejection Delay Time (IELT) were questioned for the diagnosis of PE. Patients with OSAS who accepted to participate in the study were given 1 year of CPAP treatment, and AIPE and IELT were questioned again, after the treatment. The results are compared with the results of the control group.

In total, 80 control subjects without OSAS, 85 patients with moderate OSAS and 82 patients with severe OSAS were included in the study. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, BMI or thyroid function test results. Initial IELT and AIPE scores were significantly higher in the control group compared with the OSAS groups (for the IELT, 155.63 ± 98.78 vs 96.23 ± 60.60 and 62.86 ± 40.49; for the AIPE 26.18 ± 3.88 vs 18.71 ± 3.43 and 17.85 ± 3.83). Compared with initial (pretreatment) values, both scores improved significantly in both OSAS groups after 1 year of CPAP therapy (in moderate OSAS group, 96.23 ± 60.60 vs 134.17 ± 83.43 and 18.71 ± 3.43 vs 23.25 ± 3.43 and severe OSAS group 62.86 ± 40.49 vs 112.25 ± 71.58 and 17.85 ± 3.83 vs 24.18 ± 3.53).

For the first time in literature, we determined that the presence of OSAS was associated with significantly worse IELT and AIPE scores in males with PE, and the treatment of OSAS was related to the significant improvements in both scores, in the absence of any specific treatments for PE.